I9I2] MULES ENJOY BLIZZARDS 3^5 
in the floor of the dark room and a kenyte boulder 
embedded in it, upon which the pendulum was set. With 
this arrangement he was able to take his observations 
more accurately and in greater comfort. 
By this time the weather seemed to have broken and 
we had an almost continuous series of blizzards. Mean- 
while we had noticed one peculiarity about the mules. 
The ponies in the previous year had refused to go out 
when there was any wind and drift blowing. The mules, 
on the other hand, objected strongly by kicking their 
stable and squealing if they were not taken out for 
exercise under these conditions. 
On the 19th preparations were begun for our celebra- 
tions of Midwinter Day on June 22. Debenham was 
busy making the slides for a lantern lecture. Gran and 
Williamson were busy behind a blanket making a Christ- 
mas tree. This consisted of a central bamboo with 
lateral stems and the whole imbedded in a pot 
of gravel. There was a present for everyone with an 
appropriate oration on its presentation. The whole was 
lighted with electric light, by arrangement with the 
physicist. 
On June 22, Midwinter Day, Cherry-Garrard, our editor, 
presented us with another number of the South Polar 
Times^ and the remainder of the afternoon was spent as 
a holiday in reading this, playing bagatelle, or making 
preparations for a happy evening. The whole hut was 
decorated with the Christmas tree, sledging flags, and 
some red bunting. A large white ensign was hung over 
all as a canopy. Nelson presented each member with a 
